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Libby’s library app adds an AI discovery feature, and not everyone is thrilled

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Libby’s library app adds an AI discovery feature, and not everyone is thrilled Sarah Perez AM PDT · August 26, 2025 Library e-book and audiobook app Libby is adding AI, much to the disappointment of some readers and librarians, who would prefer not to have AI inserted into their favorite apps. The new feature, “Inspire Me,” allows users to get book recommendations

To use the feature, readers tap on the “Inspire Me” options on Libby’s home page, where they can ask for fiction or nonfiction, then narrow down the suggestions

The app will then display five relevant titles that match the requested inspiration.

Overdrive, the company that makes the Libby app, says the feature relies on each library’s digital collection, so it will point to books the library offers. It also prioritizes titles that are immediately available to borrow.

While a fairly basic use case for AI, some Libby users and librarians are pushing back at the addition via posts on social media sites, saying they’d prefer to get book recommendations without the use of AI technology. Others are worried about the potential privacy issues that come with some AI experiences.

Overdrive, however, clarifies in a policy document about Libby’s use of AI that it avoids collecting “inessential personal information,” and when it does use your personal information, it’s not shared with third parties or artificial intelligence models. The company also says that users’ details and activity aren’t shared with the AI model.

Plus, if you share one of your saved tags with the AI to get suggestions, it doesn’t receive any details about you, your device, or the name or description of your tag — it only gets the titles to use for recommendations.

Techcrunch event Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise. Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. San Francisco | October 27-29, 2025 REGISTER NOW Perhaps expecting some pushback against the new addition, Overdrive stressed in its announcement that its goal was not to replace “human insight” with a generative AI feature. Rather, it says the feature could be used to “complement” librarian-led discovery.

“Inspire Me uses responsible AI integration to help patrons dive deeper into the incredible catalogs their local libraries have curated,” according to a statement from Jen Leitman, OverDrive’s Chief Marketing Officer. “

The company soft-launched the feature earlier this month, allowing users to search for “#InspireMe” in Libby’s app to gain access. Now officially announced and rolling out, all Libby users should expect to gain access to the feature in September.

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Sarah Perez Consumer News Editor

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